Gray wolf shot in N.D.

MIDLAND

species rarely seen in state

March 08, 2011

HILLSBORO, N.D. - Wildlife officials have confirmed that an animal shot by a coyote hunter in early January east of Hillsboro actually was a gray wolf, a federally protected species rarely seen in North Dakota.

District Game Warden Gary Rankin told the Grand Forks Herald that the hunter called him after realizing the 80-pound animal likely was too big to be a coyote. The animal was turned over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for DNA testing that confirmed it was a wolf.

Rankin said it will be up to federal officials to decide if any charges are warranted in the case.